Tag Archive for: teen-devotions

Transformed – teen devotion – December 5, 2021

One truth shared: Standing in front of the judge is a humbling experience, especially when the verdict is right. The LORD knows things about us that we don’t know ourselves. Who can stand when he comes? This is a humbling moment.

But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.
Malachi 3:2-4

Safe

I’m not sure why anybody wants to be on a reality TV show. When you end up on one of these shows—any of them—you and a portion of your life (maybe even all of your life) is put on display for the whole world to see. When someone sings off key, everybody knows it, and the video goes viral because it was horrendous. When someone fails horribly, everybody watches it repeatedly and shares it so that the failure goes viral. Suddenly, a person is famous… for a failure!

That’s why I’m not sure why anyone would want to put themselves out there like that. Unless you really are that good.

But who is that good? Who can endure the scrutiny of world-wide audience? Who hasn’t cringed a little bit when a singer sings off-key at a concert? Political pundits tear apart the speeches of politicians, fact-checking every little detail. People who watch football or basketball games always have something to say about the coaching or the refs or someone on the field. Who can endure that scrutiny?

What if the one judging is God? What if the one scrutinizing our lives is the One who can also read our hearts? Not only does he see every snap and TikTok, but he also sees what never gets posted because we kept it hidden. Who can endure that? Who can stand up when he appears? It is a humbling reality to face.

The truth is—you can. And you will. But not because you’ve got your life together. And not because you’ve lived your life in every detail the way God required you to live it. You will stand and you will be received, but not because of you at all.

You will not be ashamed when Jesus comes near because, in love, he chose to draw near to you. He came close to you and took your shame on himself. And because he did, you will not be ashamed on the Last Day. You will be welcomed and not shunned.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, my life can’t stand up under the scrutiny of your searching eye. I am humbled before you. Forgive my sins and lift me up by your forgiveness. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – November 29, 2021

One truth shared: There is a series of emotions that fill us when we think about the coming of Jesus. Fear. Anxiety. Perhaps even terror. One thing is sure. We are safe at the coming of Jesus.

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.” “In those days and at that time I will make a Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD our righteous Savior.’”
Jeremiah 33:14-16

Safe

I’m not sure what I would do if some celebrity walked into my office. It’s never happened to me so I’m not so sure what I would do, but I can imagine some of the emotions. There would be a certain “wow” factor. I might want to snap a picture with them and may even getting an autograph. I also think that it’s entirely possible that I would be so overwhelmed that I’d avoid eye-contact and wouldn’t have anything to say. Meeting a celebrity would be awesome and even terrifying all at the same time.

Those are some of the same emotions that I have when I think about the coming of Jesus. What are yours? Before you read on, take a moment, and reflect on the question: How would I feel if I met someone famous and important?

I think about how he came in the manger, about how he was born into this world, and I want to run up to him and peer into the manger. I think about how he marched into Jerusalem on a donkey, and I want to join the parade. It would be just awesome to meet Jesus and hang out with him, wouldn’t it?

I also think about how he described his coming at the end of the world—that scares me. His coming to judge. His coming to separate the sheep from the goats. His coming to send some to hell and others to heaven. This should scare and frighten us.

When Jeremiah talks about the coming Jesus, he doesn’t paint a picture for us to make us afraid. He pictures for us a tree growing in the middle of a field with sprawling branches. He pictures a place for us there under those branches for safely resting, a place for us to chill in his shade.

Jesus is for us a tree with sprawling branches. We can rest under his protection. We can chill under his forgiveness. Even now, we can put our feet up under this tree and rest in his protection and peace.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, at times your coming makes me afraid. I imagine judgment day and I know my sins; that day scares me because of my sin. But I know and believe that you have taken my sins away. I am safe from your judgment. I am safe in your care until your return. Keep me until that awesome day when you will gather me home. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – November 28, 2021

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8,9

Higher Thinking

Are you still bringing a teddy bear to school?

“Uh…no? How old do you think I am?” You might be thinking. “I wouldn’t be caught dead bringing a teddy bear to school!”

Well, why not?

Teddy bears, in basic psychology, are often referred to as comfort objects. As small children grow, they discover they are extremely small and dependent. This smallness and dependence can cause major stress and anxiety—especially when the child’s parents are away for any given point of time. So to cope, children ascribe characteristics of their parents (that is, protection, warmth, love) to comfort objects—such as a security blanket or a stuffed animal. When the parents feel distant and that feeling of dependence arrives, kids cling to their comfort objects for dear life. They will not let go.

So, are you still bringing a teddy bear to school?

As a teenager, you might think deriving comfort from a teddy bear is completely ridiculous. But is that anymore ridiculous than deriving your self-esteem from how many ‘Likes’ your latest profile picture got?

“Well, that’s different.”

Is it really?

Is that anymore different than defining your self-worth by how many ‘Followers’ you have on TikTok? Is that anymore different than defining ourselves by how well you can work an Xbox controller? Is that any different than infinitely scrolling through Instagram and envying the photoshopped lives of other people?

But those aren’t the only comfort objects in our lives.

We hold on to grudges—when we, in Christ, have every reason to reconcile with one another. We hold on to bad company—at expense of our physical and even spiritual well-being. We hold on to constant bitterness and nonstop complaining—when we, in Christ, have every reason and then some to be joyful. We hang on to our shame and guilt—when, in Christ, our sins were taken away and are remembered no more.

Suddenly, it seems naïve to think clinging to teddy bears is beyond any of us.

Here’s some higher thinking for you: you already have the greatest comfort object in the world: Jesus.

To a world that would cling to trash for life, God the Father sent his Son to this fallen world to give us life! To a world that was held captive by sin, death, and hell, our Savior lived a blameless life in our place and sacrificed himself on a cross so we would be set free! That is the same God who holds you through the bad days at school, who holds you through the bullying, who holds you in every heartbreak, who holds you when you’re afraid, who holds you when you’re too weak to stand. After all, he’s the God whose love for you held him on the cross—so he could hold you in his arms in heaven with him forever.

So, fix your eyes heavenward. Let go of the “teddy bears” and hold on to what’s truly good—specifically, the highest good and most important: your Savior Jesus. Cling to his Word—his divinely-inspired love letter to you. Cling to every promise your God has personally made you in his Word. Hold on to the joy we have in sins forgiven. Hold on to the hope we have in Jesus’ empty tomb. Hold on to the unassailable identity you have in Christ as God’s dearly loved child.

There is no higher comfort outside of Jesus. So, hang on to your Savior. He’s hanging on to you!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, there is so much in my life that seeks to steal my attention away from you. When I’m tempted to look to other things to derive self-worth, direct my eyes to you. No one loves me more than you—and you proved that by dying for me on cross. Move me to live for you as you lived for me. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – November 21, 2021

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:10-14

Our Glory Days

A dad takes a trip down memory lane with his son. They climb up the stairs to the attic, where the dad then opens a giant box full of memorabilia from his “glory days” as a high school quarterback. The son’s jaw drops as he pages through newspaper clippings with his dad on the front page of the local paper.

“Dad, was that you?!?

“Yes, it was!” the dad replies. He throws on his old letterman jacket to prove it, but it didn’t quite fit. The dad had put on a few since his high school years. This once varsity quarterback was now pushing papers at an accounting firm; and it showed. “Those were the days” the dad says as he holds a picture of his younger, slimmer self. “I’d relive these days in a heartbeat.”

Anyone who has played high school sports knows that feeling. If we could, we’d relive scoring that winning touchdown. Or sinking that buzzer-beater three-pointer. We’d relive receiving that glistening trophy and holding it high for the world to see.

Even if you don’t play high school sports, everybody has their “glory days” they wish they could revisit. We’d relive days when we were stronger and in better shape. We’d go back to when we were still with that certain someone—before the breakup. We’d go back to before we made those costly decisions, before we screwed up, before we made those mistakes, before our lives began their downward spiral.

But those “glory days” are inaccessibly buried in the past—regardless of how much we don’t want to let them go. The trophies may still be shining now, but eventually they’ll start to show their age. Our jerseys will one day no longer fit us. The lettermen jackets will eventually wear out and fall apart.

But high school trophies aren’t the only things broken, faded, and falling apart. Our lettermen jackets aren’t the only thing getting boxed up and buried.

We are too.

We can be as health conscious as we want and work out every day, but our mortality is thrown in our face every second of every day. And there is nothing we can do to change that. We can try all we want to immortalize ourselves in our victories, our accomplishments, and achievements; but we cannot undo death. We can wax nostalgic all we want and reminisce of “glory days” gone by; but our “glory days” and their trophies have little impact and significance on the problems we face today—death included.

Is that all Jesus’ resurrection is? A celebration of another empty “glory day”? Is Easter just a day we nostalgically celebrate once every spring, but, beyond that, it really has no lasting, significant importance?

Not in the slightest!

You see, the Bible isn’t a catalogue of wishful thinking. These things actually happened. That Jesus rose from the dead isn’t some fictitious event cooked up by Christians who couldn’t come to grips with dying. Christ has died. Christ is risen. And Christ will come again.

Jesus’ tomb is still empty—and it will stay empty. And because Jesus has risen from the dead, that means you will rise, too! That Jesus rose from the grave vindicates and validates everything he said and everything he did. He is who he says he is. He is your God. Your Redeemer. Your Rescuer. And by faith, his victory over sin, hell, and the grave is your victory.

While our glory days are still yet to come in heaven, as Christians, our glory days are now too! Even when we’re faced with hardship, we already hold a trophy that will never expire. Even when we are persecuted for our faith, we still possess an identity in Christ that will never tarnish, rust, or rot—that being the eternal identity of being a blood-bought, forgiven, redeemed child of God. Even when we are faced with death, not even death can rob us of the victory our Savior has won!

You are clothed with the letterman jacket of Jesus’ righteousness and perfection. You are forgiven! You belong to God. You are heaven-bound. Your Savior has laid claim on you!

So, as you fight for the next five yards, find comfort knowing Christ has already won the championship.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, fix our eyes ever firmly on you—especially in the face of hardship and adversity. Fill our hearts with the peace and joy of your resurrection. Move us to never cease celebrating the victory we have in you over sin, death, and the grave, and move us to share this joy with those around us. In your name we pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – November 14, 2021

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13

Spiritual workout

Did you know that the average Planet Fitness has 6,500 members—but their gyms are built to only accommodate 300 people at a time?

Now, you might be tempted to think some architect goofed on the design. But there’s a reason why these gyms are so much smaller than their total membership. True, not every member is going to work out at the same time, but that doesn’t entirely explain the discrepancy between 6,500 members and a 300-capacity gym. So, what’s up with this math?

Well, according to USA Today, 67% of gym memberships go completely unused. That’s right: there are people who pay to go to a gym they’ll never go to.

Sounds ridiculous, right? I mean, isn’t working out what a member of a gym naturally does?

We as Christians are called to “work out” too; and this kind of work out is something the Christian naturally does.

The apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear friends…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Now, Paul is not saying that we need to earn our salvation. The same apostle Paul also wrote in Romans 3:28 that “a person is [made right with God] by faith apart from observing the [commandments of God].” We are reconciled to God purely by God’s undeserved love—on account of Christ alone—through faith in him. But that same faith in Jesus seeks to express itself in action. That we exercise our faith and do good works is natural—no different than a good tree bearing good fruit.

So, what does this spiritual exercise of our faith look like?

We fear, love, and trust in God above all things. We respect our parents and our teachers. We seek to help and befriend our neighbors—no matter who they are. We use our words to build up, not tear down. We not only see God’s gifts of sexuality and marriage as good things, but we appreciate the good paradigms for sex and marriage God has given us—because God desires to not only give us these gifts but keep these good gifts good. We turn to God’s Word for answers to life’s biggest questions—and strive to be always ready to give an explanation for the hope we have in Jesus. We anchor our identity solely in Jesus—who he is and what he has won and done for you, me, and the world.

That’s quite the spiritual workout, isn’t it? I mean, don’t you feel sometimes that it’d be easier to bench press 300 pounds than to make it through three hours on your phone without any sexual temptations? Don’t you feel sometimes like it’d be easier to hang clean for three hours straight than to go three days without saying or posting anything bad about anyone? Don’t you feel sometimes like it’d be easier to run on a treadmill for ten miles than to go ten minutes without complaining? Talk about a workout!

Here’s the thing: as Christ-followers, our spiritual workout is going to be—well, messy. Like any workout, there will be sweat and tears. We’ll get tired. We’ll fall. We’ll fail, too. We may even want to give up. In this world, we will experience great trouble; but take heart: Jesus has overcome the world!

Your right standing with God doesn’t rest on how strong your faith is, but how strong the object of your faith is—and there is no one stronger than Jesus, the object of your faith! When sin had separated us from God, God—in Christ—showed the strength of his arm and pulled us close to him. Where we would lose in the daily struggle with temptation, Jesus threw down with the tempter himself and outed Satan for the wimp he is. Jesus was tempted in every way we are, but Jesus, for our sake, didn’t sin once!

But Jesus didn’t just need to perfectly live for you; he needed to die for you. Jesus endured the wrath of God on the cross for you so nothing would separate you from his love. Jesus faced off against sin, death, and hell itself—and emerged victorious from the grave! Through faith, his victory is your victory.

But the God who has done amazing things for you does amazing things through you too. Just as God gets all the credit for your salvation, he gets all the credit for your fruits of faith! “It is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose.”

So, take comfort as your flex your faith. Your gracious, mighty God is spotting you.

Prayer: Heavenly Dear Jesus, when our spiritual workout would leave us exhausted and frustrated, remind us that you have already lifted our sin, guilt, and shame from our shoulders and carried it to the cross. There, our failures have already died with you, and in you, we have new life. Because of you, Jesus, we have complete forgiveness and heaven as our home. Through you, Jesus, we are more than conquerors. In your name we pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – November 7, 2021

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6

God is a Finisher

It was sophomore year. The due date for our first semester biology project had finally arrived.

And my project wasn’t finished.

It’s not that I didn’t know about it, and it’s not that I had forgotten about it, either. In all honesty, I had simply procrastinated and punted that project to the last minute. And that left me scrambling those early morning hours on the day it was due—frantically trying to get it finished.

I just barely did—but, as you can imagine, my procrastination was seen all over the final product.

Love them or hate them, due dates and deadlines are a massive part of your high school career.

Maybe it’s that physical science presentation you’re giving next month; maybe it’s that American history paper that’s due next week; or maybe it’s those three chapters of that one book that literally need to be read by tomorrow (and you have to read them, because your AP English Literature teacher can tell if all you’ve read are the chapter summaries on BookRags, CliffsNotes, or SparkNotes).

You might not see it, but due dates and deadlines really are a good thing. They help us stay focused. They help us distribute our time effectively over multiple ongoing projects. They help us say no to distractions and keep us disciplined as we manage our time.

The thing is, we don’t always meet these due dates, do we? We turn in papers and projects late—and get penalized for it. Or maybe we meet our deadlines, but the product we present to our teachers is not exactly our best. We’ll cut corners. We’ll take shortcuts. We’ll settle for mediocrity instead of pursuing excellence. Sometimes it’s honestly because we’d rather scroll through TikTok or play PUBG. But a lot of the time, it’s because we struggle to focus. There’s stuff going on at home. You’re picked on at school. You’re grappling with some major questions about your identity or who you are. And when our head and heart are divided, even a small amount of incoming due dates and deadlines can feel debilitating. We can feel so overworked or overwhelmed, we’ll even give up on projects entirely.

Now put yourselves in God’s shoes. I mean, think about all the projects on his plate. Think of all the promises he’s made to you. He promises to provide for you richly and daily. He promises to put clothes on your back and food on the table. He promises to send his angels to guard you in all your ways. He promises he’s with you every second of every day. He promises to work all things—including the bad—for your eternal good. And God doesn’t just make these promises to you, but to every single one of his children. And yet, your God does not default on one of his promises.

The God who uniquely and wonderfully made you is the same God who uniquely and wonderfully saved you. At just the right time, God sent his Son. Your Savior Jesus, out of his amazing love for you, would perfectly carry out all his heavenly Father had given him to do. He would be perfect in our place, take our failure onto himself, die with it on a cross, and be buried with it in his death. And our failures and shortcomings stay buried—but our Savior Jesus did not! He lives! And because he lives, we, who cling to him in faith, will live too!

The faith your God worked in your heart through his Word is the same faith your God is committed to bringing to completion—that being the day you meet him face to face in heaven. Until that day, he is committed to strengthening and nurturing that faith through his means of grace because he’s not a God who fails to finish what he starts. He’s a God who gets his people home.

Take comfort knowing your God doesn’t sweat deadlines and due dates. Your God is a finisher.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you know we are constantly stressed by deadlines and due dates. When we feel overwhelmed and overworked, give us the peace that comes from your Son Jesus. Remind us that everything is going to be okay—because you, our loving Father, are in control. Remind us that, in Jesus, we have heaven as our home and you to thank for that! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – October 31, 2021

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
Ephesians 2:19-21

The solid foundation

Have you ever seen a house being built? It’s impressive. If all of the supplies were laid out, they would stretch for miles and miles. But when put together correctly, it makes one house. And yet, all of the boards, shingles, appliances, walls, etc. would become trash if one thing gave way—the foundation. If that cracked and crumbled, the rest of the building would be ruined. So much depends on the foundation standing firm.

Is your life built on a firm foundation? If you’re like me, it seems like everything is changing too quickly. Our current culture is getting carried away. Social issues are getting more sickening. The government and other leaders prove to be flawed humans regardless of their party affiliation. Even our fellow Christians can disappoint us. We rely on so many flawed people. It can feel like our lives are kind of like a house built with a bunch of supplies and resting on the cracked foundation of friends, family, and our country.

Thankfully, our lives are built on something much better and stronger than that. We have the foundation of God’s Word. And before we dismiss that, consider the following. God spent 1,500 years putting his Word together so that we would know a few things:

  1. We would know of his saving plan in Jesus. From the first promise proclaimed in Adam and Eve’s hearing, to Jesus’ cry “It is finished!” to the fact that you now hear that God loves you and wants you to be part of his household, that’s a foundation built to last. And that’s for you.
  2. If God has been building other people into his eternal household for all of time, then your life is built not on flawed humans, but on the living and enduring strength of God himself. He will never let you down.
  3. God has built you into his house and even dwells in you by his Spirit so that you have a strength that perseveres regardless of the challenges of this life.

God’s Word is your foundation. He worked through apostles and prophets to record his saving words and work for you. And now he has built you into his household on a foundation that won’t give way, because Jesus is the chief cornerstone that will never break.

Prayer: Lord God, you have made me part of your household, built me onto a foundation that will never let me down. Keep me cemented in Jesus now and forever. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – October 24, 2021

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13

Christ Alone

I vividly remember not being included. It happened several times. Whether I was in elementary school, middle school, high school, college, or even now as an adult (also known as an “old guy”), I can still describe many instances where I was on the outside looking in. Do you know what that’s like?

Maybe you’re the person who’s always included, always on top, always winning, always admired, always with more friends than you know what to do with. Maybe you’re the person who sets down your phone and, when you pick it back up a few minutes later, you have several notifications and new followers. Or, maybe you’re like the vast majority (by that I mean probably 99.9999% of people) who haven’t been included in every way.

You know what? God experienced that too. On the cross, Jesus felt abandoned. “Why have you forsaken me?” he cried. Here’s the answer: The Father let his Son die for the sins of his people so that we never know what it feels like to be excluded. Jesus spent his life including those who were excluded, loving the unloved, and searching for those who strayed.

One time, Jesus defended a woman who was about to be stoned to death for her sin. Another time, he stood up for a lady who had a record of sexual sin. He even made a man who was a thief and a cheater to be one of his disciples! And these are just the tip of the iceberg of how far God will go to include us.

When we say that we are saved by Jesus Christ alone, we recognize that Jesus is the only one who could save us. More than just by his example, God carried out all of his saving work in Christ alone. And since he sought you out, included you in God’s family, and brought you into the inner circle of his family, then you are loved. You are included. You are close to God now and forever.

Prayer: Lord, I have to admit that I hate the idea of being far from anyone and anything that is good and wonderful. Thank you for bringing me close to you through Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – October 17, 2021

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8

Faith Alone

Imagine that you were hanging off a cliff. I know, it’s kind of silly, but play along. You’re hanging off a cliff and your two hands are holding onto two different things. One hand is grabbing a rod of steel rebar that is well-anchored into the rock. And the other hand is hanging onto the root of a dead tree that is cracked and almost broken. Both hands are squeezing equally hard. The difference isn’t how hard you cling, but what you cling onto. And that’s the same truth for our faith in God.

God saved us. It was all his doing. He loved us before creation. When others don’t think about us or care about us, God does. He always has. And his grace took shape in place and time when Jesus walked through life perfectly for us, died to take away our guilt, and rose from the grave to guarantee that we are forgiven forever.

But imagine what it would be like if that was all true, but it wasn’t for you. Imagine hearing that good news—the best news ever—but it was for others and not for you. That’s what it’s like to have nothing to hang on to. It’s a life where you live just for the moment, just for some stuff, and only for a time. But then what? That’s hanging onto a broken root.

But not you, dear Christian! You have been saved by grace through faith. And the faith that God has put in your heart is also his gift. The arm to reach, the hand to hold, and the strength to cling to all of God’s gracious promises. That is God’s gift of faith which clings to the steely power of God’s saving love.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep me strong in the faith and clinging to your saving grace in Jesus my Savior. It’s all your gift. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – October 10, 2021

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:10,17

Scripture Alone

Two kids start arguing on the bus. The argument is over some current issue on the news. They go back and forth about what is right and wrong. And how can you tell who wins? Is it the person who is louder or meaner? Is it the person who wins over the others who are watching?

Determining right and wrong in our society today is hard. It’s especially challenging to stick to the truth of God’s Word in a world that denies that there is absolute truth, much less, that the Bible is true.

But God’s Word is up to the challenge. And it does more than just help us win an argument. It’s the very power of God to combat evil and to protect us against the lies of this perishing world and the evil one—the devil. How so? Consider two examples.

Let’s say that there are friends at your school who think differently than you do about substances, sex, porn, or how to view the government. Those are all big and challenging topics. Now imagine if you were left to discern what’s true just according to your friends. You value them. But they don’t know everything. But God does. And in holy word he uses his mighty power to show us the way. Most importantly, his Word shows us our Savior when we lose our way!

Or consider what many people think about death and eternity. Imagine if you had to just pick the best opinion as to what to believe about life after death. How terrifying. But that’s not so for us as Christians. We have God’s mighty power in his Word. Jesus won eternal life through the cross and the empty tomb! There’s nothing better than that—nothing more powerful than that! And since God owns eternity, then he owns the truth. Furthermore, he gives the Bible—the eternal truth—as armor for us. Not just for an argument, but for eternity.

Prayer: Lord God, keep me in your Word and protect me through is for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – October 3, 2021

[God] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:5

Grace Alone

There was a man who was sick, very sick. He had a very rare disease. He spent years traveling to this hospital, and then that specialist, who would refer him to another place. He crossed the country and even oceans. Finally, he found a cure. And the good news compounded when he was given the cure … for free!

But imagine during his travels as his symptoms worsened—shortness of breath, wheelchair-bound, and close to death—he found the cure, but left it behind. Or, he decided it wasn’t what he was looking for, so he resumed his search. Does that make sense?!

In many places God describes us like that sick man. Actually, it’s even worse. Today’s passage portrays us as a spiritual corpse. We’re “dead.” On our own, there’s no hope, no direction, no life. And why were we pronounced dead? It’s the sickness of our own transgressions, every way we have crossed the line and gone against what God desires and designs for our lives. But the good news about those words is that they are past tense: “you were,” precisely because you are no longer.

God made us alive! There were no defibrillator pads to shock us alive. There was no medicine. Doctors don’t treat dead patients. Neither did God. Rather, he did something better. He made us alive in Christ. In the life of Jesus, God secured a perfect life for us. In the death of Jesus God paid for every transgression. And in the resurrection of Jesus God secured a life that will never end. This is the cure! It’s all made ours by God’s grace. You don’t just have some cure in hand. You are forever secure in Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, I was dead to you, but now I am alive in Christ. Lead me to live my life out of thanks for your grace in Jesus. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – September 26, 2021

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:1,2,4,5

Don’t be Surprised!

In sports there is nothing like a last second score to win the game. Fans live for it! Players dream about it! Those moments infuse sports with a sense of purpose and anticipation.

Now, imagine sports with no game clock. Do you think the players would give maximum effort to win? Probably not. Offenses would take their sweet time. After all, what’s the rush? No sense in teams playing defense. What’s the point? Teams have plenty of the time to score later. Would fans even watch the game? Doubt it. What a snooze fest! In fact, with no game clock, even players could take naps.

Just as sports with no countdown would be pointless, people who live life with no countdown lack purpose. God said, “Time is counting down until I am come back! You just don’t know when the buzzer will sound.” Does the countdown until Christ comes back fill you with happy anticipation… or not? Is this where we must admit we haven’t given it much thought? Are we so busy living today that we have no time to consider this no guarantee of a tomorrow?

Often, we live in the dark, forgetting that time is counting down until God comes again. The apostle Paul’s encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5 is a wake-up call for Christians. Wake up and see that you are not living in darkness! You live in the light of Christ. That means we will not be surprised by Christ’s second coming. Instead, we get busy getting ready for it!

This good encouragement motivates us to take advantage of every opportunity to worship and praise God, spend time in his Word, and celebrate his Sacraments. This moves us to go and proclaim the gospel to those who don’t know the forgiveness Christ gives. This compels us to serve God by serving our neighbor!

While living as “children of the light” provides good encouragement, even better, it is good news. As children of the day—that is, God’s children—the good news is that God will not judge you based on the darkness of your sins. Instead, when God returns to judge, he will judge you on the basis of what Christ did for you on the cross. There God’s Son didn’t play games. Jesus won the battle and gave you the victory over sin, the death, and the devil.

Do you want to live your life with more purpose and greater anticipation? Count down the days until you eternally experience the blessed victory that is yours in Christ, and, until then, make all your days count for God’s glory and praise.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, while our thinking is often selfishly consumed with our present circumstances, forgive us, and keep us mindful of your future return. By the good news of your Gospel, move us to live in your love and in the freedom of your forgiveness and not fear all our days until we are with you forever in heaven. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – September 19, 2021

And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

Mind your own business

When you hear the word ambition, what comes to mind? Passion? Success? Recognition?

When you hear the word quiet, what comes to mind? Unnoticeable? Private? Timid?

When God’s Word tells Christians to “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,” that idea seems like a contradiction. Maybe that even sounds impossible. Our lives are lived online where there is little or no privacy. The internet is not a quiet place. Social media is for ambition.

Am I supposed to get off social media? Do I say nothing? Can I be ambitious? What if I am not naturally quiet? What is a Christian supposed to do?

When Scripture says living an ambitiously quiet life means you should “mind your own business,” God is not instructing you to keep your head down and never say anything. God is not advising you to move to a monastery high atop a mountain and cut off human interaction.

Rather, God’s Word is telling you not to express certain characteristics that have become common, even celebrated, in our culture. Be the person who does not need to give a hot take about everything that happens personally or globally. Be the person who isn’t giving a knee-jerk reaction to their every emotion. Be the person who isn’t promoting their “personal brand” every chance they get.

What should we do instead? Be selfless. Serve others. Speak timeless truths. Spend time talking about eternal matters. In other words, your ambition should be to humbly, quietly serve God by serving others.

What’s your motivation for that lifestyle? 1 Thessalonians 4:12 says that minding your own business and living quietly “may win the respect of outsiders.” Our purpose in all of this is to be like Christ who humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8). In a winsome way, let’s point people to Christ. His cross. His love. His forgiveness.

This is needed now more than ever. Look at your social media feed. People are panicking, picking fights, and putting private emotions on public display. Christians have a unique opportunity to be different simply by being quiet. Be quiet about the things that do not matter so that you can point people to the one thing that does matter—Jesus’ love!

Someone once said; “Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.” The world is watching and listening. Show them Jesus by what you do. Tell them the gospel in what you say.

Prayer: Jesus, forgive me for making “noise” out of selfishness just so others notice me. Thank you for Jesus’ selfless sacrifice, which means I am a forgiven and dearly loved child of God. Help me to live quietly and humbly and gently—like Jesus—so others might know his love. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – September 12, 2021

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

God’s Desire for Your Sexual Desires

Everything God created is good.
God created you. God created sex.
So, sex and your sexual desires are good gifts from God.

Does the idea that “sex is good” sound strange to you? You are not alone.

Our culture is hypersexualized, and sexual sins have been normalized. Most often, what we see and hear about concerning sex is not good. After all, sexual desire is what leads to sexual sin: lustful thoughts, pornography, and inappropriate relationships before marriage and outside of marriage.

So, what’s a Christian to do? How are you to think about sex and your sexual desires when our sex-obsessed culture leads us to view these as bad things and not good gifts from God?

God’s desire for your sexual desires is that you avoid all the badness and experience all his goodness by controlling your body’s desires in a way that is holy and honorable. That means when you date, you don’t sexualize your desires as “passionate lusts,” instead you realize your desires have a holy place—in marriage! And then, as you enjoy marriage as a gift of God’s love and the holy place for sexual desires to be satisfied, God sanctifies you (sanctified means made holy). In other words, when we enjoy sex the way God created it to be, we also enjoy life the way God created us to be: pure and holy!

But what if your past sexual experiences have been bad, and not good? What if you’ve sinned sexually? What if sexual brokenness has made you feel less whole and even less holy? Whether your past is marked with promiscuity or purity, this truth is for you: “Christ loved [you] and gave himself up for [you] to make [you] holy, cleansing [you] by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:25–26).
God knows we struggle with his command to “avoid sexual immorality.” Therefore, this very same God “gives you his Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 4:8) to assure you and comfort you with the good news that you are washed pure and made holy in Christ Jesus.

This is who God created you to be. Live how God created you to live!

Prayer: Dear Lord, especially when sexual temptations enter our life, remind us that our sexual desires are not bad, but they are from you and can be controlled in a way that is holy. By your Holy Spirit empower us to live pure lives in Christ that give honor to you in all we do. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – September 5, 2021

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:7-10

Really Living

“Get busy living or get busy dying.”

That quote was made popular by the critically acclaimed film, The Shawshank Redemption. The movie’s protagonist, Andy Dufresne, was wrongfully imprisoned. The way Andy sees life, he has two options. He can either accept his circumstances, give up, and live out his days in prison—that is, get busy dying. Or, he can get busy living—be proactive, do something about his situation, and have a real life! Inspiring, isn’t it?

People relate to that deep desire to “get busy living.” Many feel pressured to truly live, not merely exist. Maybe that describes you? You want to do something amazing with your life, or at least somewhat productive. What does a life really and truly lived look like?

Some suggest that to really live means to pursue your dreams. To really live means to live in the present. To really live means to accept yourself. To really live means when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. But what happens when life is dream-crushing, embarrassing, depressing, and leaves you with little hope?

God not only tells us what it means to really live, the gospel also gives us hope for when we feel we are merely existing, or worse, busy dying. The apostle Paul and his fellow Christians in Thessalonica were facing soul-crushing persecution. Satan was busy trying to kill their faith. Yet, during that distress Paul said, “Now we really live since you are standing firm in the Lord.”

Really living is standing firm in your identity as an infinitely loved and immensely forgiven child of God, even when life makes you feel less-than. Really living is standing firm in Scripture since God’s Word declares that Jesus loves you and Christ is for you, even when others tell you that the Bible makes no sense.

For Paul, really living by standing firm in the Lord resulted in an earthly life filled with joy, encouragement, and gratitude to God! God gives those blessings to you, too! You might feel you are living in a prison of doubt, a prison of depression, or a prison of one difficulty after another. No matter your life circumstance, you can really live. Why? The living and true God, who raised Jesus from the dead, who keeps you firm in your faith, has given you victory over death and the gift of an eternal life! Knowing that is really living.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the gift of faith in Christ that encourages me even when life is difficult. I praise you for the joy you have given to me that is based in your love; not my life’s circumstances. Help me to trust that, through your Word, you continue to supply me with all I need to really live by standing firm in you, dear Lord. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – August 29, 2021

In this series we’ll look at some of the struggles that we have that we endure silently, secretly. We struggle secretly and alone. What does God’s Word say to us in our darkness and trouble?

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16

Secret Sin

There is an important distinction between guilt and shame. Guilt is when you feel bad about something you did. Shame is when you feel bad about who you are.

It can happen in life that an unaddressed guilt over something you are doing turns into general shame about who you are. You feel so bad about the guilt that you have let it become part of who you are. Perhaps you have a secret sin that would bring shame if people were to find out about it.

It is not a good feeling to live with guilt. It is even worse to live with shame. God does not want either to have control over you.

Whether you know it or not, guilt and shame have the power to control your life. The longer you hide them, the stronger they become. So when guilt begins its work on your conscience, and when shame begins to take hold of your identity, pause to think about the significance of what Jesus did for you.

He was already punished for the guilt you are feeling. He already made it so that your identity has nothing to do with your sin. Who you are was determined by his victory over sin and death. You are God’s loved child.

You will not fully appreciate that as long as your sin is an unconfessed secret. Secret sins give birth to guilt, and guilt gives birth to shame. The longer you let it grow, the stronger it will become. But you have One who is stronger than any guilt or shame you can experience. His name is Jesus, and he is armed with enough mercy and grace to overcome what you have been hiding.

Would you be honest with yourself today if you have been holding onto a secret sin? Confess it. Talk to Jesus about it, and trust that he will respond with mercy and grace. If you want, you can use a prayer like this:

Prayer: Dear Jesus, the reason you came to this world was to release me from sin’s consequences. I believe that you died and rose again to do that. Would you help me today to stop letting sin reign over me? Give me your forgiveness for my hidden sin. Give me strength to overcome it so that I can live in the peace that you want to give. Thank you also for surrounding me with friends and family who care and can help me too. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – August 22, 2021

In this series we’ll look at some of the struggles that we have that we endure silently, secretly. We struggle secretly and alone. What does God’s Word say to us in our darkness and trouble?

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Drama

Ever feel like your life could be a television series?

You could probably look at some of the drama that you have experienced in your life and write up some interesting episodes. Maybe some of them would look like this:

Season 3 Episode 7: I learned my friend was a drug dealer.
Season 4 Episode 3: Word got out that my classmates were sleeping together.
Season 4 Episode 4: Word got out that my classmate was pregnant.
Season 7 Episode 2: My brother got caught stealing. Again.

If you are creative enough, you might be able to go ahead and write some scripts based on some of the things you have experienced. But before you go down that route, it is good to think about how God would have you respond to drama-filled situations that come up in life.

It is easy to make light of the situation and laugh at those who are causing the drama or getting into trouble.

You might become more popular for a moment if you draw attention to other peoples’ drama and gossip about it.

You might feel good about your own drama when you compare it to the people around you.

But what does God call you to do? He calls you to love people, even when they are in a difficult place. After all, that is exactly what he did for you. He could have laughed at your fall into sin. He could have made fun of you for your mistakes. He could have proven how holy he is compared to your unholiness.

But God chose to love you instead. He sent Jesus to die and rise again as the proof of his love.

So what can you do when drama rises up in the people around you? Take your cue from 1 Corinthians 13:6-7. Compelled by Christ’s love for you, love one another.

Prayer: Dear Father, forgive me for the times I delight in the misfortune of others. Thank you for the love and forgiveness you gave to me in Christ. May I be compelled by his love to befriend and help people whose decisions have created some drama. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – August 15, 2021

In this series we’ll look at some of the struggles that we have that we endure silently, secretly. We struggle secretly and alone. What does God’s Word say to us in our darkness and trouble?

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Psalm 46:1,2

Trauma

One day, some people told Jesus about a traumatic event where many people were killed. Jesus went on to bring up another tragic event—a tower fell, and eighteen people died as a result.

Most of the time, we think that traumatic events are things we hear about from the news. But in reality, the most traumatic things you go through are things that most people will not even know about.

Sometimes parents get divorced. It sounds like such a small thing until it happens to your parents. You might wonder if you did something wrong that led to their separation. It can be traumatic to watch your parents’ marriage come to an end.

Sometimes friends that you thought were with you forever end up leaving you. Again, it sounds like such a small thing until it happens to you. In their absence you start to wonder if there is any way you could ever have a friend like that again.

There are many traumatic things that can unfold in a person’s life. Things that make it seem like your entire world is falling apart and you are powerless to stop it.

When that happens, look up to the One that never changes. Life will throw all sorts of unexpected traumas in your direction, but you have a refuge that goes with you wherever you are. No matter the trouble you are in, help is always present.

Either you are in a time of trouble right now, or trouble is waiting for you ahead. Keep in your heart the powerful truth behind Psalm 46:1,2. God is your refuge. He is your strength. Therefore you will not fear, even if your entire world seems to fall apart.

Prayer: Dear Father, only you know the degree of the troubles that face me. Only you know the troubles that lie ahead. Guide me to see that you are my safe place that will always go with me wherever I go. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – August 8, 2021

In this series we’ll look at some of the struggles that we have that we endure silently, secretly. We struggle secretly and alone. What does God’s Word say to us in our darkness and trouble?

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5

Depression

Feeling depressed can be a horrible thing to go through. Sometimes you feel down because something very specific happened, like breaking up with a close friend. Other times those sad feelings seem to come up for no reason at all.

It is normal to feel depressed. We were created to inhabit sinless bodies in a sinful world, so it is bound to happen that we will long for things that this world cannot give. That is something to be sad about.

Did you know that even Jesus felt depressed? Check out Matthew 26:36-38 if you have time today. There are two things from it that stand out:

  1. Jesus recognized that he began to feel sorrowful and troubled. He didn’t ignore it and hope it would just go away. He identified the feeling for what it was.
  2. He talked about it. He told his closest disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Jesus was not afraid to let others know how he was feeling.

What do you tend to do when you feel depressed? While there are many ways to dull the pain, there is only one way to find peace from it. When darkness sets in and sorrow overwhelms you, know that you have a future filled with hope. Even though you do not feel joyful in the moment of feeling depressed, there are plenty days ahead when you will be singing, dancing, and celebrating.

You are loved so much by God that he wants to be with you, even when your life is full of struggles. How amazing that you do not have to go through the struggles alone.

Prayer: Dear Father, there will be times in my life when I am feeling depressed. It happens to everyone, even your Son Jesus. Remind me of your promises when I am feeling down. Give me eyes to see the hope you hold out to me in Christ. It’s in his name I pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – August 1, 2021

In this series we’ll look at some of the struggles that we have that we endure silently, secretly. We struggle secretly and alone. What does God’s Word say to us in our darkness and trouble?

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

Addiction

Nobody wakes up in the morning and decides to become addicted to something. But for every addiction, there was one day when it all started.

It always starts small. One vape. One drink. One pill. One video. If someone saw it happen that first time, they would probably say it was not that big of a deal. But it becomes a big deal when you keep going back to it.

Is there something that has taken control of your life? It could be something that, up to this point, has been small. Or maybe you are wrestling with something that has become bigger than you ever thought it would. You feel awful about it. You feel ashamed. You feel alone. Whatever you are addicted to controls you.

Wherever you are at, there is hope.

Your Father in heaven does not want you to be controlled by anything. He wants you to be free. God is not waiting for you to overcome addiction so he can start loving you again. He loves you right now, and he is with you right here. He wants to show you how the thing you keep longing for will never fulfill you the way that he can. He wants to get you out of it.

If you find yourself being controlled by an addiction, would you take a positive step today? Start by confessing your weakness to God. Ask for his strength in overcoming this temptation. If you can, confide in someone you trust and ask them to pray with you.

Right now, the resurrection power of Jesus is alive in you by faith. Enjoy the freedom that he alone can give.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, you love me so much that you sent Jesus to give me freedom from sin and death. Help me recognize the things in this life that can imprison me in emptiness and loneliness. When temptation confronts me, provide a way out so that I can enjoy the peace and security that you alone can give. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – July 25, 2021

This series tackles selections from the book of Proverbs that provide godly wisdom in the areas of relationships, discipline, words, anger, and more.

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Proverbs 29:25

Audience of One

Whether it’s in a game or on a stage, performing in front of a crowd isn’t for everybody. Some get an energizing adrenaline rush from it. Others will avoid it like a plague. But can you always avoid being the center of attention? Can you avoid people looking at your social media profile? Can you avoid walking down a crowded hall at school? Can you avoid answering a point-blank question in a group of friends? Can you really avoid other people having an opinion about what you said, what you did, and who you are?

The most important question to ask yourself is this, “Am I trying to get everyone in my life to love and approve of me?” Because if you are, you won’t succeed. There will be some who think you’re less than the person standing next to you. There will be others who think you are the worst, even though you’ve done nothing wrong and haven’t sinned against them. We live in a world where the “audience” of our lives will, at times, disapprove of who we are and what we’ve done.

But there is One who will never disapprove of you. There is One who will never be ashamed of you. There is One who lived and died for you. One day because you clung in faith to him, he will say, “well done!” He is your One and only God. He keeps you safe. You never have to be afraid of what God thinks of you. In Christ, he promises to always love you, always forgive you, always approve of you.

So when you are nervous about what you will say, what you will do, or how you will perform in front of others, remember you are only playing to an audience of One. Only God’s opinion of you really matters. God’s approval is the only one you need. And God’s never-ending approval is exactly what you have in Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know there will be times when people in my life will look down on me. Teach me to know and believe that you always love me and always approve of me. Give me that perspective so I can have confidence and joy serving others and you every day. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – July 18, 2021

This series tackles selections from the book of Proverbs that provide godly wisdom in the areas of relationships, discipline, words, anger, and more.

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14

Let It Go

The average age of a US dam is 57 years. What happens at the end of a dam’s life? They break. The cracks in the infrastructure spread. Water starts pouring out by ounces, then gallons, then tons. If the engineers are unaware of the cracks and a heavy rainfall builds up water behind the dam, the consequences can be deadly. Water can destroy everything in its path.

Proverbs 17:14 tells us that’s how anger works. As Christians, God uses our love as a dam to protect others from harm. But anger eats away at our love like a crack in the dam. We remember what they said to us. We constantly think about what they did. Uncontrolled anger can lead to greater things, like plotting revenge. Our angry hearts too easily lash out with harsh words and actions. That’s when the dam breaks. The effects of sin pour out into our lives and the lives of others. Anger ruins so much. It can sweep away relationships and destroy love.

That should have happened to us. The dam of God’s love should rightly have been destroyed by our sin. We should have been swept away forever. But God wouldn’t let that happen! He kept his love steadfast and firm by sending his Son Jesus. God didn’t punish us. In his holy anger he punished Jesus for our sin. Jesus stood in the gap and protected us from being swept away. Jesus made sure we would always be safe in his forgiveness. Because of him, God’s anger ceased. He dropped the matter and declares there is no dispute between him and us.

So what does that lead us to do? Drop it! Drop your anger because God dropped his anger on Jesus. When you are hurt by others, remember how God forgave you. When you want to lash out, remember how God doesn’t lash out at you. When you plan your revenge, remember how God planned and carried out your salvation. God’s love for us builds up a dam of love in our hearts. Let’s protect others with that love!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for not sweeping me way in your anger. Thank you for sending Jesus and protecting me in his love forever. Help me to love others as you have loved me. Take away my anger, increase the peace in my heart, and let your love flow from me in everything I do. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – July 11, 2021

This series tackles selections from the book of Proverbs that provide godly wisdom in the areas of relationships, discipline, words, anger, and more.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Proverbs 17:17

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

The Importance of Good Friends

Were you interviewed for a new job this summer and hired? Maybe you were a little nervous because you thought everything depended on how you answered the interview questions. In reality, your first few weeks on the job are just as important. More than anything, your boss is looking for you to show up every day and do your job. They aren’t looking for a Superman or Superwoman, they just want you to be Mr. or Mrs. Dependable.

Isn’t that what your friends are looking for too? Your friends want you to be dependable and reliable. Will you text them back? Will you hang out with them when they’re bored or lonely? Will you be there for them when life is tough? Will you stand next to them when no one else will? That’s the kind of friend we should all want to be. But we all know none of us are the perfectly reliable and dependable friend people look for.

But there is one who is. His name is Jesus! He was born for your adversity. When sin convicted you, when the devil worked to steal you, and when death was going to end you, Jesus came into this world to stand up for you. He came to stand in your place. Jesus took away your sin on the cross. Jesus ripped you out of the devil’s arms and put you into the arms of God. Jesus defeated death when he rose from the dead so you would never have to be afraid. And now Jesus promises to always be your friend.

Jesus was and is our Mr. Dependable. Knowing all he did for us; Jesus calls on us to be that Christ-like friend to all of our friends. Stick close to them. Don’t give up on them, even when they screw up. Always love them as Jesus always loves you. Show up when they need you just as Jesus showed up for you.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, you are my greatest friend. You are my brother! Thank you for showing up and taking care of my sin, the devil, and death. Help me to be a dependable friend like you, always loving, always caring, always being there when my friends need me. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – July 4, 2021

This series tackles selections from the book of Proverbs that provide godly wisdom in the areas of relationships, discipline, words, anger, and more.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
Proverbs 10:11-12

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:1,4

The Power of Your Words

Modern medicine and medical equipment are powerful! An antibiotic can kill off a virus. A respirator can keep failing lungs breathing. A shock from a defibrillator can jumpstart a flatlined heart. When there are so many things can hurt us, we praise God for giving doctors technology that can bring us life.

In Proverbs 10 and 15, God explains how our words have the power to give life. But you know they also have the power to do serious damage. Have you been hurt by someone else’s words? Has someone made fun of the way you look or dress and it just crushed you? Have you ever been made fun of in front of your friends and you burned with anger only to then melt in tears? Has anyone ever seen you have a bad day and rubbed it in by telling you how great their life is going right now? You may remember those moments for a long time.

We can remember the pain we’ve cause others with our words too. We’ve said things that tear up friendships, crush someone’s confidence, and break their heart. Our words have caused serious damage.

So God wants you to remember his words always give life. God breathed life into you when you were baptized, when you first heard his voice and believed. His words of forgiveness cover up every one of your sins. Jesus’ words on the cross “IT IS FINISHED!” took away any and all tension between you and God. God’s words of love keep your soul secure in peace. Like drinking from a water fountain, the Word of God nourishes us so we can love the people God has put in our lives.

And how should we love them? With our words! Like that technology doctors use to give people life, your words can restore the lives of others. For the person you’ve hurt, tell them you’re sorry and you love them. For the friend who feels alone, tell them you’re here for them. For the person who feels guilty, tell them Jesus has forgiven all their sin and loves them more than they could ever imagine. These are the power of words! Let’s use them to give life!

Prayer: Dear Lord, just as you used your words to give and sustain my life, help me to use my words to give life to others. Use my mouth as a fountain of life to restore, encourage, and love my friends and family. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – June 27, 2021

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
Proverbs 1:32-33

Safety

You and your friends are looking for a restaurant to grab some food before the game. On your journey you come to two restaurants that are right next to each other. One of the restaurants has a sign that reads “Danger! Toxic Chemicals!” The other has restaurant has a sign in all caps that says, “WELCOME! Good Food and Good Times Inside!” What restaurant are you going to choose?

It seems too easy. Of course you are not going to eat at the restaurant which has a warning for toxic chemicals. That is ridiculous! You want to eat good food with good friends in a safe environment.

What is even more ridiculous is that when it comes to our spiritual life, we often choose the way that is toxic. Often times the devil tricks you into thinking that simple way that kills is the best choice. He can convince you to go along with the fools of this world and fill yourself with the toxic lies of the devil.

Continue to listen to Jesus! In Jesus and him alone you have real safety. You have nothing to fear! Jesus has come to conquer your greatest enemy, death, and he did that! “Don’t be afraid!” That was the message on Easter morning. It is a personal message for you every day! Don’t be afraid, all your sinful choices have been forgiven. Don’t be afraid, every time you took a wrong turn Jesus took the right turn for you. Don’t be afraid, you are God’s dear child and can live every day at ease in his care.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, continue to hold me in your powerful hands and help me to always remember that you are with me. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – June 20, 2021

My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.
Proverbs 1:10

Run! Stay Away!

Hang tough! That is much easier said than done. You live in a world where your faith is constantly under attack. You work in a setting where your coworkers are badgering you to fall into sin. Sometimes you only have one option—to hold on tight to God’s Word and promises as you are being tempted.

Other times you can just run away from it! If you find yourself in a situation where you are being tempted to sin, run! Run as fast as you can the other direction! If you find yourself at the lunch table or in the break room with friends that are enticing you to sin, eat somewhere else. Stay away. The goal is to entice you with lies and half-truths with the hopes that your faith will be killed.

Hang tough! Hold on tight to Jesus’ promises. No one can take God’s promises to you away. Through those tough times Jesus holds on to you tightly. He willingly ran into the fires of hell for you. He marched to a cross where he died for those times where we were too easily enticed into sin. Too often, you might find yourself enticed and intrigued by sin. Every one of those sins has been paid for by your Savior who holds you safely in the palm of his hands.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, by your death and resurrection, you have given me the power to hang tough in the midst of temptations. While I am tempted, cover me with your protecting hand and strengthen me to flee from those who entice me to sin. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – June 13, 2021

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

My son; my daughter

What does beauty look like? It is tough growing up in a world where beauty is defined by outward appearances. For some beauty is all about what kind of clothes you wear and how you look in those clothes. For others beauty is defined by the stuff they have. The newer the phone, the more beautiful you feel. So much of our time can be wasted trying to fit into the world’s definition of beauty.

Godly beauty is so much different. The wisest man that ever lived said that the more you listen to your father and mother the more beautiful you are. As you honor your father and mother and others in authority, it shows your real beauty.

When we break the Fourth Commandment, we show the world around us the ugliness of our sinful nature. When we disrespect our parents, we show the dark stain that is on our hearts. When we close our ears to our Heavenly Father, we are wearing the chains of sin around our neck.

Jesus kept the Fourth Commandment perfectly for you! He obeyed his Heavenly Father by coming to this earth and graced his head not with garland, but with a crown of thorns. He wore a chain around his neck, but it wasn’t a fancy gold one. It was the sin of the world. All of your sins were paid for by Jesus.

He can now proudly call you his beautiful sons and daughters. You have been washed by his blood and brought into his family by baptism. You are beautiful.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me godly wisdom to know what pleases you. Give me the strength to show my inner beauty as I live to honor and respect those in authority over me. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – June 6, 2021

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:7

Beginning of wisdom

Well, you almost made it! This unique school year is almost over. For some of you it was a struggle not to be able to eat lunch with friends. For others of you it was heartbreaking that your sports season was canceled. For some it was a struggle to transition from pajama pants back to real clothes as in person learning resumed. This school year could probably best be classified as a struggle. Teachers struggled. Administration struggled. Parents struggled. You struggled.

It’s only the beginning. Life in this sinful world is a constant struggle. Sadly, the struggles will only amplify as you get older. The devil ramps up his attacks on you. He will encourage you to engage in the foolishness of the sinful world around you. He will do all he can to get you to despise wisdom and discipline.

Sadly, it has worked. Think of the times you have fallen into the lies of the devil. How many times did you willingly do something you knew was foolish in the last week? How many times did you fall into foolish peer pressure? It’s probably not that hard to remember how many times you let your Lord down this week.

It’s only the beginning. Sit in the shadow of the empty tomb and marvel at what your Lord and Savior has done for you. You have a Savior who lived and died to take all of your foolish sins away. You have a Savior who rose from the dead to assure you that heaven is your home.

That doesn’t mean that this life won’t be a struggle. It doesn’t mean that high school will be a breeze for you. It does mean that eternal life is yours and that will never end!

Prayer: Dear Lord Heavenly Father, I thank and praise you for sending your Son, Jesus, to win my salvation. Please empower me to let the light of my faith shine as I live in this sinful world. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – May 31, 2021

The May series is for the times we may hit rock bottom as we experience seasons of fear and weariness, despair and depression, pain and loss … all of them due to sin. Yet God never leaves or abandons us. He pursues and seeks us in our dark moments.

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Job 1:20-21

Rock bottom… What now? Praise God!

We’ve all been told before something along the lines of, “If you think you’ve got it bad, there’s always someone who has it worse.” Job would have been hard-pressed to find that person. His sons and daughters had died. His home was gone. His riches were depleted. Everything about his life had changed in an instant and he had indeed hit rock bottom.

Put yourself in Job’s sandals for a moment. How would you deal with these challenges? If your cell phone suddenly doesn’t turn on, panic sets in. Someone shares a false rumor about you, and your day is ruined. You get a bad grade on a test and your mood turns sour as you lament your bad fortune. When bad things happen, how do you deal with them? Don’t we all at times look for someone to lash out at, to pout and complain, to blame others for what has happened, even if it might be our fault?

What a lesson we learn from Job. At such a challenging time in his life, he humbly turned to his God and confessed, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (v. 21). As Job’s life hit rock bottom with a thud, he didn’t complain. He didn’t lash out. He didn’t cry out “woe is me.” He marveled at God’s goodness, saying, “May the name of the Lord be praised.” Whether its the end of another school year or the beginning of summer vacation, whether life is going great or rock bottom is in sight, praising God is how our faith in Jesus responds to his love for us. Nothing in this life—NOTHING—can take away the truth of what our God has done for us and what is ours in him alone. Remember that, dear young friends. Live that. Cherish it always.

Prayer: Lord God in heaven above, it gives me such great comfort to know that you are with me throughout my life. Heavenly Father, there are times when I feel like I’ve hit rock bottom. There are times when it feels like I have nothing to be thankful for. And then I am reminded of your love for me. I’m amazed at the price your Son paid to forgive my sins and call me you own. Thank you for this gift. Thank you for my life here on earth and for life eternal in heaven. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Transformed – teen devotion – May 23, 2021

The May series is for the times we may hit rock bottom as we experience seasons of fear and weariness, despair and depression, pain and loss … all of them due to sin. Yet God never leaves or abandons us. He pursues and seeks us in our dark moments.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16

Rock bottom… What now? Make the most of the moments

Can people tell you are a Christian? Think about that for a moment. If they didn’t know already, would the people you come in contact with in life be able to tell you confess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, trusting in him for salvation and for guiding you throughout this life on earth? It’s a humbling question to ask, isn’t it? It’s also one that sometimes leads us to an answer of “Yikes, I’m not sure.”

The apostle Paul writes not only to the church in Ephesus, but also to each of us, as he gives much needed encouragement to our lives as God’s children, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (vv. 15-16). We’re not always careful how we live, are we? Jesus is very easy to take for granted. Being “wise” is something that doesn’t come naturally for adults, let alone teenagers living in an increasingly cruel and sin-filled world. “Making the most of every opportunity” is often replaced with letting most opportunities to praise our God’s name slip through the cracks or go unutilized.

Bad stuff happens, dear young friends. It’s a fact of life in this sinful world. As God’s dearly loved children, though, we have different tools to use when dealing with these bad things. The God who loved us enough to send his Son to die for us is not then going to abandon us in life to deal with things ourselves. He is with us. His means of grace strengthen us. He not only motivates, but equips us to “(make) the most of every opportunity” when things are going well, or when we seem to hit rock bottom. Each day is a day to praise our holy God and to worship him. Each day is another chance to boldly live our faith in the One who saves us and calls us his own.

Prayer: Lord God, what a blessing you are in my life—in good times and in bad. You have guided me; You have blessed me; You have kept me in your tender care. Watch over my life, O Lord. Keep me always close to you and your Word that I might be strengthened in faith to make the most of every opportunity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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